Ryan Moore didn't give us the best of rides on Classic at Sandown.
Being boxed in and not getting a run in a five-runner race is somewhat illegal. Ryan Moore is the best in the business, but he got it wrong on my selection. This happens in horse racing, and there will be plenty of other times where he gives us a belting ride.
The Juddmonte debutante was well supported; backed into favourite. Colin Keane had the horse settled towards the rear, but you could tell he was very raw and inexperienced.
Bedtime Story 4/1 (1pt) – Chantilly 3.05
It can be very easy to go for Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore for the Classic races, but this one doesn't look as simple as that.
Shes Perfect has been the horse with all the attention after what happened in the French 1000 Guineas last time out. She was controversially dropped to second spot after finishing first past the post. There was small contact caused by Shes Perfect, but if that was in the UK, the results would have stayed the same. She is definitely the one to beat for the French Oaks, as the winner isn't in today's race.
Despite Shes Perfect being a strong candidate, I've gone for the horse who was sixth in the French Guineas. Bedtime Story is my pick for this race. She was a very useful juvenile last year, proven by winning her first four races. The main race for which she is remembered is the win at the Royal Ascot, where she was a 9.5L winner. Her career has stagnated since winning a Group 2, but the step up in trip might be ideal for her now.
Her pedigree is a mix of speed and stamina. She is by Frankel, who was the complete racehorse, but has produced many staying horses. On the other side of the pedigree, she is by Mecca's Angel, a multiple Group 1 winning sprinter. This raises eyebrows over today's longer trip, but she is related to Content, who was a Group 1 winner over 12f.
She has to reverse the form of a few from the last race, but she was staying on at the finish. There is another Ballydoyle runner in the race, which is likely a pacesetter for Ryan's horse.
Hotheaded 13/2 (0.5pt EW, 3pl) – Chantilly 5.00
I've been on the wrong end of backing a once-raced French horse in a Group race in recent weeks, but that's not going to stop me backing another.
Mickael Barzalona was the reason why my selection from a couple of weeks ago didn't win. He didn't give the horse a chance with a poorly judged ride, so I don't think you can write off Hotheaded, who is equally as inexperienced.
The Godolphin horse was very impressive on its debut one month ago. He won at Saint-Cloud over 12f by 4.5L, beating some fairly solid horses who had the experience edge over him. The run produced an RPR of 103, so with natural progression likely to come, he can put up a good fight.
Today's race is much tougher than last time out, but his pedigree leaves the impression he could be a smart horse. He is by Frankel and out of a mare who has produced some decent horses, including Impulsif, who was a Group 3 winner in France.
I was expecting much shorter odds on this horse, so seeing 13/2 floating around was a pleasant surprise. I think he will be much shorter come the time of the race, and vying for favouritism wouldn't be out of the ordinary.
GambleAware